Apparatus and method for disaster survival

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus has an interior sheet of flexible material and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together to form an inflatable space between them, which when inflated also defines an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material, which interior cavity is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus also includes a supply of compressed gas in fluid communication with the inflatable space for inflating the inflatable space. A tether is attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material for attachment of the inflated apparatus to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/231,757 filed Jul. 15, 2015. The apparatus and method of the instant invention is for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster such as a tornado, a hurricane or an earthquake. Inflatable devices for personal protection are known. For example, Canadian patent 1245914 discloses a device not unlike an inflatable mummy style sleeping bag into which a person can enter for survival at sea. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,401 discloses an inflatable structure into which a person can enter for survival at sea. U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,705 discloses an inflatable device for escape from a burning building. US Patent Application Publication 2005/0279559 discloses an inflatable vest device for a pilot, which device is inflated automatically or manually on impact. However, none of the devices of the prior art are designed to provide personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster such as a tornado, a hurricane or an earthquake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus and method of the instant invention is for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster such as a tornado, a hurricane or an earthquake. In one embodiment, the instant invention is an apparatus for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the apparatus comprising: (a) an interior sheet of flexible material; (b) an exterior sheet of flexible material, the interior and exterior sheets of flexible material being joined together to form an inflatable space between them, to define an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material when the inflatable space is inflated and to define a portal from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior cavity, which interior cavity is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster; (c) a supply of compressed gas in fluid communication with the inflatable space for inflating the inflatable space; and (d) a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material for attachment of the inflated apparatus to a secure structure.

In another embodiment, the instant invention is an apparatus for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality interior sheets of flexible material; (b) an exterior sheet of flexible material, the interior sheets and exterior sheet of flexible material being joined together to form an inflatable space between them, to define a plurality of interior cavities bounded by the interior sheets of flexible material when the inflatable space is inflated and to define portals from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior of the cavities, which interior cavities are provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster; (c) a supply of compressed gas in fluid communication with the inflatable space for inflating the inflatable space; and (d) a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material for attachment of the inflated apparatus to a secure structure.

In yet another embodiment, the instant invention is a method for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the method comprising the steps of (a) inflating an apparatus defined by an interior and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together so as to form an inflatable space between them, to define an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material and to define a portal from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior cavity, the exterior sheet of flexible material having a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material; (b) before or after step (a) attaching the tether to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole; and (c) entering the interior cavity through the portal.

In still another embodiment, the instant invention is a method for the protection of a plurality of persons from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inflating an apparatus defined by a plurality interior sheets of flexible material and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together so as to form an inflatable space between them and to define a plurality of interior cavities bounded by the interior sheets of flexible material and to define portals from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior cavities, the exterior sheet of flexible material having a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material; (b) before or after step (a) attaching the tether to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, an anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole; and (c) entering the interior cavities through the portals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodiment of the instant invention comprising an inflated inflatable structure having an interior cavity into which cavity a person can enter for a personal protection during a disaster;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 deflated and folded for potential use during a disaster;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another apparatus embodiment of the instant invention comprising an inflated inflatable structure having two interior cavities into which cavities persons can enter for personal protection during a disaster;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another apparatus embodiment of the instant invention comprising an inflated inflatable structure dimensioned to fit in a closet having an interior cavity therein for personal protection during a disaster into which cavity a person(s) can enter through a zippered portal; and

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a yet another apparatus embodiment of the instant invention comprising an inflated inflatable structure providing five interior cavities therein for personal protection during a disaster into which cavities persons can enter through a zippered portal into each cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 therein is shown a perspective view an apparatus embodiment 10 of the instant invention. The apparatus 10 comprises an interior sheet 12 of flexible material an exterior sheet 11 of flexible material, the interior and exterior sheets of flexible material being joined together to form an inflatable space 15 between them, to define an interior cavity 16 bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material when the inflatable space 15 is inflated and to define a portal 18 from the exterior of the inflated apparatus 10 to the interior cavity 16, which interior cavity 16 is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus 10 has a supply of compressed gas 13 in fluid communication with the inflatable space 15 by way of tubing 14 for inflating the inflatable space 15. The apparatus 10 also has a tether 17 attached to the exterior sheet 11 for attachment of the inflated apparatus 10 to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole. Referring now to FIG. 2, threrein is shown a side view of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 deflated and folded for potential use during a disaster.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown is a perspective view of another apparatus embodiment 20 of the instant invention comprising an inflated inflatable structure comprising an exterior sheet of flexible material 25, interior sheets of flexible material joined together to form an inflatable space between them, to define two interior cavities bounded by the interior sheets of flexible material when the inflatable space is inflated and to define two portals 21 and 22 through which persons can enter the interior cavities of this embodiment for personal protection during a disaster. The apparatus 20 has a tether 23 attached to the exterior sheet 25 for attachment of the inflated apparatus 20 to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole FIG. 3 also shows supply of compressed gas 24 in fluid communication with the inflatable space of this embodiment by way of tubing 26.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown a perspective view of yet another apparatus embodiment 30 of the instant invention. The apparatus 30 comprises an interior sheet 37 of flexible material an exterior sheet 36 of flexible material, the interior and exterior sheets of flexible material being joined together to form an inflatable space between them, to define an interior cavity 31 bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material when the inflatable space 36 is inflated and to define a portal from the exterior of the inflated apparatus 30 to the interior cavity 31, which interior cavity 31 is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster into which cavity 31 a person(s) can enter through zippered portal 32. The apparatus 30 has a supply of compressed gas 34 in fluid communication with the inflatable space 36 by way of tubing 35 for inflating the inflatable space 36. The apparatus 30 also has a tether 33 attached to the exterior sheet 36 for attachment of the inflated apparatus 30 to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home or the floor joist of a home.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown a perspective view of yet another apparatus embodiment 40 of the instant invention comprising an inflated inflatable structure dimensioned to fit in the hallway of a building such as the hallway of a school. The embodiment 40 is comprised of an exterior sheet of flexible material 48, interior sheets of flexible material joined together to form an inflatable space between them, to define five zippered portals 41, 42, 43 44 and 45 through which persons can enter the interior cavities of this embodiment for personal protection during a disaster. FIG. 5 also shows a supply of compressed gas 47 in fluid communication with the inflatable space of this embodiment by way of tubing 49. The apparatus 40 also has a tether 46 attached to the exterior sheet 48 for attachment of the inflated apparatus 40 to a secure anchor point of the building.

The specific compressed gas used in the instant invention is preferably compressed air but in the broad scope of the instant invention any compressed gas can be used such as nitrogen, helium or carbon dioxide. A heavy-duty zipper having an interior and exterior pull is the preferred closure for the portal of the instant invention. The exterior sheet material of the instant invention preferably comprises a strong, puncture resistant, tear resistant fabric based material such as a fabric woven from KEVLAR or NOMEX brand aramid fiber. The exterior sheet material is preferably colored yellow or orange to aid first responders in finding the apparatus of the instant invention after a disaster.

CONCLUSION

While the instant invention has been described above according to its preferred embodiments, it can be modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the instant invention using the general principles disclosed herein. Further, the instant application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the apparatus comprising: (a) an interior sheet of flexible material; (b) an exterior sheet of flexible material, the interior and exterior sheets of flexible material being joined together to form an inflatable space between them, to define an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material when the inflatable space is inflated and to define a portal from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior cavity, which interior cavity is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster; (c) a supply of compressed gas in fluid communication with the inflatable space for inflating the inflatable space; and (d) a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material for attachment of the inflated apparatus to a secure structure.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a portal closure accessible from the interior cavity for closing the portal after the apparatus is inflated and a person has entered the cavity.
 3. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the closure is a zipper.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of interior sheets of flexible material joined with the exterior sheet of flexible material to define a plurality of interior cavities and portals to said interior cavities.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a plurality portal closures accessible from the interior of each cavity for closing each portal after the apparatus is inflated and a person(s) entered such cavity(s).
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the closures are zippers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exterior sheet of flexible material comprises a fabric woven from aramid fiber.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the exterior sheet of flexible material is orange in color.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the exterior sheet of flexible material is yellow in color.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the exterior sheet of flexible material comprises a fabric woven from aramid fiber
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the exterior sheet of flexible material is orange in color.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the exterior sheet of flexible material is yellow in color.
 13. A method for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inflating an apparatus defined by an interior and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together so as to form an inflatable space between them, to define an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material and to define a portal from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior cavity, the exterior sheet of flexible material having a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material; (b) before or after step (a) attaching the tether to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole; and (c) entering the interior cavity through the portal.
 14. A method for the protection of a plurality of persons from flying or falling objects during a disaster, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inflating an apparatus defined by a plurality interior sheets of flexible material and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together so as to form an inflatable space between them and to define a plurality of interior cavities bounded by the interior sheets of flexible material and to define portals from the exterior of the inflated apparatus to the interior cavities, the exterior sheet of flexible material having a tether attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material; (b) before or after step (a) attaching the tether to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, an anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole; and (c) entering the interior cavities through the portals. 